Swiss confectioner Nestlé plans to introduce its leading premium chocolate brand, Les Recettes De L’Atelier, to the UK following impressive growth across Europe. Although the high-end chocolate brand may not yet be familiar to the British market, supplies have just started via Sainsbury’s with stores stocking a range of smooth Swiss chocolate blocks with natural fruit pieces.

The brand, which roughly translates as “recipes of the artisan’s shop” is exclusive to the retailer in the UK and will be available in seven different flavors including: Raisins, Almonds and Hazelnuts; Orange Zest & Cacao Nibs; Whole Roasted Almonds & Hazelnuts; Salted Caramel; Roasted Almonds; Blueberries, Almonds & Hazelnuts; and Cranberries, Almonds & Hazelnuts.

The way the product is made, with fruit and nut inclusions clearly visible once unwrapped gives the chocolate a handmade, artisanal feel and means that each and every square of the chocolate is completely unique, according to Nestlé.

“Premium chocolate is one of the fastest growing areas in confectionery and, until now, has been a gap in what we offer here in the UK,” says Alex Gonnella, Marketing Director for Nestlé’s UK confectionery business.

“What has already been achieved with Les Recettes De L’Atelier is very impressive, it’s a brilliant, luxury product and the reception we’ve seen from our colleagues here at Nestlé alone tells me that it will be very well received.”

“People, quite rightly, expect us to develop new, innovative and exciting confectionery, we’ve been doing it for more than a century, and Les Recettes De L’Atelier is a key part of our plans to keep our portfolio fresh and give confectionery fans exactly what they are looking for.”

Originally launched in Switzerland and France in 2014, Les Recettes De L’Atelier has grown to become Nestlé’s fastest growing confectionery brand in Europe and is now sold in more than 15 countries. 

As it arrives in the UK for the first time it is the third biggest premium confectionery brand in the region.

The range is made with high-quality ingredients sourced from around the world and the launch is being supported on Facebook and Instagram as well as through a range of in-store activities. 

The products follow the rest of Nestlé’s UK confectionery range in being free from artificial preservatives, colors and flavorings and are made with 100 percent certified sustainable cocoa as part of the Nestlé Cocoa Plan.